Psalm 82
New International Version
Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
    and show partiality(C) to the wicked?[b](D)
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;(E)
    uphold the cause of the poor(F) and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.(G)
    They walk about in darkness;(H)
    all the foundations(I) of the earth are shaken.
Footnotes
- Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
- Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Psalm 82
Amplified Bible
Unjust Judgments Rebuked.
A Psalm of Asaph.
82 God stands in the divine assembly;
He judges among the gods (divine beings).
2 
How long will you judge unjustly
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.
3 
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.
4 
Rescue the weak and needy;
Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
5 
The rulers do not know nor do they understand;
They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];
All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.
6 
I said, “You are [a]gods;
Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.(A)
7 
“Nevertheless you will die like men
And fall like any one of the princes.”
8 
Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For to You belong all the nations.(B)
Footnotes
- Psalm 82:6 Most of the ancient rabbis understood the idea of “gods” referring to judges, but some applied vv 6, 7 to the Israelites at Sinai and maintained that they would have become immortal as a result of accepting the Law, if only they had not committed the sin of the golden calf.
Psalm 82
King James Version
82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Psalm 82
English Standard Version
Rescue the Weak and Needy
A Psalm of (A)Asaph.
82 (B)God (C)has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of (D)the gods he (E)holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
    and (F)show partiality to (G)the wicked? Selah
3 (H)Give justice to (I)the weak and the fatherless;
    (J)maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
4 (K)Rescue the weak and the needy;
    (L)deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
5 (M)They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
    (N)they walk about in darkness;
    (O)all the foundations of the earth are (P)shaken.
6 (Q)I said, “You are gods,
    sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men (R)you shall die,
    and fall like any prince.”[a]
Footnotes
- Psalm 82:7 Or fall as one man, O princes
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